NAACP to 'patrol' South Carolina borders

The State ^ | 1/13/02 | RODDIE BURRIS

[shuckmaster]

The NAACP will begin posting "border patrols" at various entryways into South Carolina within 30 days urging tourists not to stop in the Palmetto State, the civil rights group said Saturday.

"The border patrol is our way of standing at the Georgia and North Carolina borders (and asking) that you not stop, not stay in hotels, and don't buy gas" in South Carolina, said Nelson B. Rivers III, NAACP national field director. "Or better still, that you turn around."

The initiative is part of a plan the group unveiled Saturday to turn up the heat on state leaders in 2002 to completely remove the Confederate flag from the State House grounds.

Tourism officials reached Saturday expressed concern the action could hurt the state's economy, already laboring through a recession.

Rivers said the group will hold a third annual rally at the State House on Jan. 21, in part to protest the flag. The NAACP also will launch a national campaign that uses billboards, flyers, bumper stickers and television to discourage tourism in the state.

South Carolina has been the target of economic sanctions against tourism - at $9 billion a year, the state's largest industry - since 1999. Then, the NAACP began increasing pressure on the Legislature to take the Confederate emblem off the State House.

In what they said was a compromise, lawmakers removed the flag from the atop the State House, and from the Senate and House chambers in July 2000. At the same time, however, they raised a Confederate flag on a pole on the State House's front lawn.

In 1999-2000, tourism officials said the sanctions cost Columbia, Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head $10 million in lost revenues. Since the compromise, the impact of the sanctions has waned, those officials have said.

'DISAPPOINTED IN THE DECISION'

However, tourism officials Saturday expressed concern about the NAACP's new plans.

"At Parks, Recreation and Tourism, we're disappointed in the decision to take these further actions," said Marion Edmonds, a spokesman for the state tourism department.

"We felt that the Legislature's decision to take the Confederate flag off the dome and out of the Senate and House chambers was a good-faith effort to resolve the issue."

Edmonds said he was unsure of the impact the new NAACP actions might have. "These are actions that have not been taken before in South Carolina, to my knowledge. We don't know what to expect."

Others expressed concern the actions could hurt the state's economy during a recession.

Tom Sponseller, president of the Hospitality Association of South Carolina, said, "Anything that can hamper tourism, especially in a time like this, could have a severe impact on the overall economy."

Ashby Ward, president of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, said: "Right now, I'm angry. It borders on the ridiculous. The legislators from all walks of life settled on this situation in Columbia, and I realize nobody's happy, but it is a compromise. This issue should just be past."

Ward added: "It seems ridiculous in this kind of economy, with the nation focused on this war on terrorism - to drag something from the past out like this is beyond my comprehension."

Spokespersons for Gov. Jim Hodges did not return calls Saturday. House Speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville, also could not be reached.

S.C. Attorney General Charlie Condon said the civil rights group's plan breaks the law.

"It's an illegal secondary boycott and so on behalf of the state of South Carolina I'm going to be looking into the possibility of bringing a lawsuit against them for monetary damages," Condon said.

In explaining the border patrols, Rivers said NAACP personnel periodically would be stationed at various South Carolina entrances, "with protection," to let travelers know that sanctions are still in place.

Rivers said he will spread the message that economic sanctions are still in place against South Carolina as he delivers speeches across the country over the next 45 days about black history.

"The NAACP has made up its mind," Rivers said at a monthly meeting of the state NAACP in Columbia. "We will not stop until the Confederate flag has been put where it should be - out of sight, out of mind."

The NAACP also has been urging athletes and entertainers to avoid coming to South Carolina. The group said it will continue that effort with fresh energy this year and in years to come.

State NAACP head James Gallman called on national religious leaders, meeting planners, performers, artists, athletes and others to avoid South Carolina. He also asked S.C. residents to honor the boycott by taking their vacations outside the state.

[JD86]

Thanks for the picture. Charleston is absolutely beautiful.

[JD86]

Thanks for the link. I am serious about traveling to South Carolina. I have always wanted to go back and now, thanks to the NAACP, I have the motivation to make the trip this year...:)

[bilh]

Tourism officials reached Saturday expressed concern the action could hurt the state's economy, already laboring through a recession.

And guess which sector of the workforce will be the first to find themselves out of work?

[cyberaxe]

.....our doors are always open.....

.....just don't tip the new "door men" greeting you at the border.....;^)

[cayman99]

SC,sounds like a great place to live

[JD86]

Oh, I'll have a little something for them, but it won't be what they are expecting....:)

I may even print up a few brochures of my own before the trip and have them ready to pass out as the occasion presents itself. I am actually looking forward to the trip. Enough is enough and I have had enough. (There is nothing worse than an upset grandmother..)

[cyberaxe]

.....we just call it TR.....

.....lots of mountain folk.....

.....kinda rural.....

[cyberaxe]

(There is nothing worse than an upset grandmother..)

.....wouldn't want to tick mine off.....

.....she was born and raised in the mountains of SC.....

.....(they call the place "Devils Hole").....

[RightOnline]

I see. So, the Black Race Nazis are going to try and convince us not to pass through the Great State of South Carolina.

Makes me want to take a drive south (from N.C.) just to tell them to pound sand. Maybe I'll mount the Stars and Bars in one of the windows of my gas-guzzling Suburban; change the horn to play "Dixie".

[Henchman]

Does the boycott mean boycotters will not be buying houses there? Will the boycotters move out? Are they upset over their supporters in SC overjoyed at the jobs and income they are loosing?

I am considering moving to SC, it will be a fine state.

[Tornado]

Okay, here's the scenario - My white family and I are driving into South Carolina and a large band of NAACPers try to flag us down to stop us and advise us how and where to travel? What happens next?

[SeeRushToldU_So]

I grew up in SC, I live in GA now. I always visit Hilton Head, SC at least 5 times a year.(This is purely from word of mouth} I have heard shoplifting is way down since the boycott started. And I have noticed there are a lot of Hispanics working in the area now, as opposed to the local blacks. I don't know if the blacks have taken better jobs, or if the locals have been displaced by hispanics.

[dixie sass]

Archie, are you in this area - the tri-county?

[JD86]

Sounds like your grandmother and I would get along just fine...:) I am definitely looking forward to my trip.

[takenoprisoner]

How cool! When were you there? We lived just down the road. I have a picture of my son at KoleKole Pass when he was 3 months old. We loved being stationed at Schofield Barracks.

1972. On my profile when they are back up there is a link to my vanity website with a pic of me on gate duty at KoleKole Pass. This pass as you may already know is the same pass the Japanese flew thru to in route to Pearl Harbor in order to hide from radar.

[SeeRushToldU_So]

I love Charlestown!

[dixie sass]

Ahhhh yes, the Piggy Park. Fond memories of visiting my grandmomma and then going with some of the local kids to the Piggy Park.

[JD86]

the Black Race Nazis

LOL, you do have a way with words.

[JD86]

If the NAACP keeps avoiding SC, it sounds like it will be an extremely delightful place to live. I will be making that big "retirement" decision in the next couple of years. South Carolina is definitely on the list of possibilities.